The RiverHawks announced Thursday that they have sent Frontier League batting champion Joe Anthonsen and fellow infielder Brad Dutton to Gary of the independent Northern League to complete an earlier trade with the Railcats. Last December, Gary traded right-hander Jim Paduch to Rockford for two players to be named at the end of the 2008 season. Both Anthonsen and Dutton spent three seasons in Rockford.

RiverHawks director of baseball operations Dave Ciarrachi said to expect an active winter for the organization.

“We’re still working on moves to get us back into the playoffs,” he said.

In 2008, Anthonsen hit .352 – he became the first RiverHawk in four years to win the league batting title – with two home runs and 50 RBI. His 135 base hits led the league and were a team record. Anthonsen also set single-season team records for games (95), at-bats (389) and runs (79). In addition, he stole 29 bases in 33 tries.

Dutton batted a career-best .311 with four home runs and 49 RBI.

Paduch was 3-6 with a 5.07 earned-run average in 12 starts for the RiverHawks. Rockford traded him to Lincoln of the American Association in July.

Anthonsen was the last player left from the first game at Road Ranger Stadium, which opened May 31, 2006. First baseman-outfielder Brandon Cohen, who made the team out of spring training 2007, is now the longest-tenured player on the roster.

Anthonsen finishes his RiverHawks career with 309 hits, two behind Ben Fjelland for the all-time record. Dutton is fifth on the list, with 234. Anthonsen is the team’s all-time leader in games (278), at-bats (1,053), runs (170) and errors (48).

The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league that will play its 17th season in 2009. The RiverHawks will begin their eighth season at 7:05 p.m. May 21 at Windy City and host the 2009 Frontier League All-Star Game at 7:05 p.m. on July 15. Advertising and season-ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit the RiverHawks online at www.rockfordriverhawks.com.